The 25 must-haves that make beach days with kids easier

NBC Selected independently determines what we cover and recommend. When you click on or buy through our links, we earn a commission. Learn more.LifestyleI tested more than 50 beach products with my kids and these are the ones I’d actually pack againI took my kids to the beach three times before I figured out what was actually worth packing.July 17, 2026, 6:00 PM EDTRebecca DelmanSenior Production ManagerSkip to table of contentsTaking small children to the beach can be more stressful than fun, but the right beach products can help ease the process. Courtesy Daniel Landesman Photography; Kara Birnbaum / NBCIn this articleThe top kids beach must-haves in 2026Safety GearGetting There (and Staying There)Sun ProtectionBeach Bags and StoragePlay and EntertainmentHow I chose the contendersHow I tested the best kids’ beach gearWhy Trust NBC Selected?See 6 MoreBeach days sound simple until you’re standing in a parking lot with a 4 ½-year-old who insists on carrying everything by himself, a 21-month-old who changes her mind every five minutes and a 9-month-old who still needs naps, shade and a surprising amount of gear.After our first beach trip of the summer, I realized I was spending more time unloading, organizing and cleaning up than actually enjoying the water with my kids. I packed two tents, a wagon full of toys and a cooler that was practically the size of my toddler. By the time we finally got settled, someone needed a snack, someone needed sunscreen and someone was already covered in sand.Over three beach trips, plus plenty of pool days in between, I tested more than 50 products. Some never made it back into the beach bag after the first trip. Others quietly became things I packed without even thinking. This guide is about the 25 products that earned a permanent spot in our beach bag and made it easier to spend less time managing the day and more time enjoying it with my kids.We overpacked the first two timesCourtesy Becca DelmanThe top kids beach must-haves in 2026...